Movers and Shaker, a Hunter-based charity which supports people with the debilitating disease, will host the 4-person ambrose event to be held on Thursday, October 10, with tee-off at 9.30am.

Nelson Bay's Garry Johnson, 62, who was forced to retire early after being diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2012, said that all money raised on the day will remain in the Hunter to be administered by the neurological department of the John Hunter Hospital.

"Parkinson's comes in various forms and you can go from diagnosis to total disablement in three years, or you can have a gradual deterioration over a period of 30 years," Mr Johnson said.

"While I was forced to quit work I consider myself to be fortunate in that I have been able to remain active to an extent, playing golf and exercising regularly.

"Advances in medications are constantly changing, but currently there is no known cure for Parkinson's, and in fact there is no definitive test to diagnose the disease.

"Often shaking and tremors are the first visible signs. Other symptoms include blankness of facial expression, an unusual gait, and freezing, where sufferers feel like their feet are glued to the floor and experience difficulty with balance."

Movers and Shakers was started by Ben Payne in 2015 after a close family member was diagnosed with Parkinson's. "At the time there was only one nurse based the JHH to cater for the entire Hunter region. The group's initial aim was to fund an extra nurse as well as establish support groups."

[The Tomaree Parkinson's Support Group meets in the Waratah Room at Tomaree Community Centre next to the library at Salamander Bay on the third Thursday of each month.]

Tickets for the inaugural charity golf day are $125 and include 18 holes of golf, snacks, drinks, entertainment and plenty of prizes. People can book on nelsonbalygolf.com/play/events.